Fears that a pensioner was given insulin in a suspected drugs mix-up with another patient at a care home before his death were investigated by police and health bosses.

But a coroner has now ruled after an inquest that what actually happened cannot be proved.

Retired engineer Terence Healy, 85, from Wythenshawe, was admitted to Southwold Nursing Home in Wythenshawe in February 2012 after a stroke. He died at the hospital a month later just days after he collapsed at the home from a heart attack.

The inquest at Manchester Town Hall heard diabetic Mr Healy, described by his grandson as fit and healthy before the stroke, was prescribed diabetes drug metformin and another patient at the home, a man whose room was next door but one, was on insulin.

Two healthcare assistants and a nurse told the inquest in evidence that nurse Mopelola Twins referred to Mr Healy by the other man’s name after the collapse and said she had just ‘given him his insulin’.

But nurse Twins denied any suggestion of any wrongdoing and told coroner Nigel Meadows that she had given both patients the correct drugs. She added that those present in the room had misunderstood her.

Mr Meadows recorded a narrative verdict. It ruled that Mr Healy died from a cardiac arrest but it wasn’t possible to determine the cause. Mr Meadows said: “There is differences in recollection and understanding of what was said by nurse Twins. Nurse Twins says it is a misunderstanding. There is no toxicological evidence.”

The coroner however hit out at record keeping at the care home, which was operated by Anchor Trust but is now under new management. The allegations were only raised three days after Mr Healy’s death.

The inquest heard Mr Healy collapsed after he was put in a sling to be hoisted out of bed.

Jane Dale, the home’s then manager, said Manchester council and the Care Quality Commission launched ‘snap’ inspections after the mix-up allegations were reported but found no concerns. No photographs of either man were in their care plan documents, the inquest heard.

Gwen Irvine, from care company Anchor, said after the inquest: “We are deeply sorry for the upset this has caused Mr Healy’s family. The incident, which happened two years ago, was appropriately investigated at the time and the authorities were notified. We have followed all of the procedures set by the CQC and have fully cooperated with the investigation.”